Sac State joins the Artober celebration

Sacramento celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October, and the capital city’s University, Sacramento State, will be front and center at many of the community events and spotlight events on campus.

Artober, 31 Days of Art and Soul, continues the recognition of local arts launched by Mayor Kevin Johnson’s For Arts Sake program with a citywide, monthlong festival.

Exhibits, stage productions, interpretive dance concerts and music performances will be held at various locations throughout the city, with the University showcasing its talented artists at three signature events: Sacramento World Music and Dance Festival, Oct. 2; Arts – Open House, Oct. 9; and Midtown Modern Arts Festival on Oct. 15.

Sac State’s Theatre and Dance Department Chair Linda Goodrich will take part in the Sunday, Oct. 2, World Music and Dance Festival in Old Sacramento, hosting a booth on African Dance at the festival’s “Global Village.” Goodrich is the founder of Sacramento Black Art of Dance. This event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a special pre-event performance at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, on the main stage in Old Sac.

Sacramento State will also take part in the open house at the Community Center Theatre from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. Children and families are welcomed to free back stage tours, performances and a meet-and-greet.

The University’s Jazz Ensembles will star in the Midtown Modern Arts Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, on 20th Street between J and K streets. The festival includes other top arts groups such as the Sacramento Philharmonic and Sacramento Ballet, along with interactive art activities such as painting classes and a musical petting zoo.

And College of Arts and Letters Dean Edward Inch will update the community about Sacramento State’s arts programs at various gatherings during the month.

“We are at an exciting point in time when the University and its community can align our best talents to come together as one,” Inch says. “Artober and other events like it draw Sac State’s students, faculty and staff into a wonderfully dynamic mix of celebration, creativity and community.”

Campus events include performances in Sacramento State’s renowned World Music and Piano Series concerts, interpretative dance concert Dance Sites, choreographed by faculty and guest artists, a historical collection of Native American Baskets in the Library Gallery, and student art exhibits in Kadema Hall.

“The programs available to the public at Sac State are amazing,” says Artober communications liaison Veronica Delgado. “The University is a destination for art with its on-campus galleries and plenty of public art pieces.”

For more information on Sacramento State’s arts programs and events, visit www.asn.csus.edu/. Information about Artober is available at http://artobersac.com/. Media assistance for Sacramento State is available from the University’s Public Affairs office, (916) 278-6156.